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Christmas is over, the lights are being taken down, the last drop of eggnog has been drained from the carton and the world is in a fine mode of blah. Realizing that, I thought you might like something to help you deal with the mid-winter jickers.

A friend sent this in an email, and it's a beautiful, well written winter poem that cheered me up. I thought it might be a comfort to you, as well.

With my favorite holiday just a few days away, I'd like to thank all of my readers, family, and friends for their support. The attendance at book signings for Mormon Mishaps has been wonderful, as well as sales of the book. Plus, I couldn't ask for more loyal readers here at the blog. You all are awesome!

LAST WEEK'S WINNER : Congrats to ALI CROSS on winning the Baskin Robbins gift certificates. Please contact me no later than midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 23 to claim your prize. Send me an email with your mailing address and phone number at cindybeck(dot)author(at)yahoo(dot)com. Or at any other address you might have for me.

If the prize isn't claimed by Wednesday, it will be re-offered in a future contest. All previous contestants for that particular prize will be entered into the new drawing, along with the new entries.THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY: No giveaways for a week or two, because you'll all be getting so many Christmas gifts you won't need a giveaway. Right? :) But I'll start them up again in 2010. Watch for drawings for coupons for free cereal and other great prizes. (That's assuming, of course, the companies get a move on and get them to me! :)

Now for the disclaimer. The ATFFDICDoYouSeeWhatISee ... well, one of those government agencies that is all initials ... requires that I tell you Karlene did this terrific job for me as a gift. I've been a fan of her blogging backgrounds for a long time and have told her so many times. The other day, when out of the kindness of her heart she offered to revamp my old, looked-like-it-was-built-by-a-third-grader site, I said, "Yes, yes, YES!"

And isn't it awesome?

So, thanks to Karlene, an amazing whiz of a woman, and a wonderful friend!---

For those who are wondering how the Mormon Mishaps book launch went, it was fantastic. You'll be glad to know I showed up in more than just my underwear! (No, I'm not an exhibitionist, click here to read about my book launch nightmares last week.)

We sold out of the store's 40 copies in the first half hour and after that were into selling from our own stash. THANK YOU to all those who came to see us and purchased books. You're the best!---

LAST WEEK'S WINNER : Congrats to CONNIE HALL on winning the Greg Olsen calendar. Connie, please contact me no later than midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 16 to claim your prize. Send me an email with your mailing address and phone number at cindybeck(dot)author(at)yahoo(dot)com. Or at any other address you might have for me.

If the prize isn't claimed by Wednesday, it will be re-offered in a future contest. All previous contestants for that particular prize will be entered into the new drawing, along with the new entries.THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY: $6 in Baskin Robbins Gift Certificate. (This prize is from a previous contest, was not claimed in time, and is being re-offered.)

Not to do self-promotion here, but … okay, so maybe just a little self-promotion … my co-author, Nichole Giles, and I have our very first book launch coming up on Wednesday, Dec 9, 6-9p at the Barnes and Noble, in Orem, UT. I’m calm about it. No nerves at all. Just nightmares all night long, and dry heaves during the day.

Recently, several of my author friends have held book launches. That's very exciting, and since I've heard horror stories about book launches gone awry, I’d like to offer my jealous envy sincere congratulations to friends who’ve managed to live through one.

Even though I’ve never done a launch before, I have a pretty good idea—due to warnings by friends and the nightmares I've been having—what the top ten worst fiascoes would be for me.

1. The bookstore orders my book, but instead receives seventy copies of "Tales of a Stripper."2. The bookstore parking lot is closed off for resurfacing at one end and to accommodate the new In and Out Burger at the other.3. Aaackk! I’ve shown up in nothing but my underwear.4. I made it to the store in one piece, I remembered to bring a tablecloth and I'm signing books ... at a table in the restroom.5. Aw, drat, I forgot a pen and all that’s on hand is a crayon.6. Umm, I’m sure I knew it once upon a time, but I have no clue what my name is.7. Cramp, cramp, I have a cramp in both hands.8. Gas, gas, I have really bad gas. I should not have eaten that double bean burrito.9. I’m signing two doors down from Sarah Palin.10. The power has failed and it won’t be on again until morning.

So, wish me luck, dear friends, and if you get a chance, stop by to say hi on December 9 at the Orem Barnes and Noble. I promise I’ll be wearing something more than just my underwear.

What's playing in my head: The Restroom Door Said Gentleman by The Bob Rivers Comedy Corp.

~CONTEST NEWS~

LAST WEEK'S WINNER : Congrats to CATHY WITBECK on winning the Baskin Robbins gift certificates. Cathy, please contact me no later than midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 9 to claim your prize. Send me an email with your mailing address and phone number at cindybeck(dot)author(at)yahoo(dot)com. Or at any other address you might have for me.

If the prize isn't claimed by Wednesday, a new winner will be drawn.THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY: A 2010 Greg Olsen calendar, autographed in gold ink by the artist himself—with his own hands—while I stood watching nearby.

THE PRODUCT: Greg is a fantastic artist and his paintings are filled with light and warmth. The calendar is beautiful.

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this article. Any comment you want. I'll choose one, for whatever reason as determined by my little pea brain. Or possibly by Corky Porky Pie's little dog brain, which is significantly smaller than a pea.

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Ever wanted to kill your spouse because he/she keeps interrupting something you're trying to do? If so, you'll get a charge out of Cindy's latest published story, "Texting on Ice" in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hooked on Hockey.